Русский
Russa’s Roscosmos Space Agency is developing the Amur-SPG launch vehicle with a reusable first stage to be in use by 2030, according to Roscosmos head Yury Borisov. He was speaking at the 49th Korolyov Academic Readings on Cosmonautics on Tuesday (January 28).
The Amur-SPG, also known as the Soyuz-7 is a reusable, methane–fueled, orbital launch vehicle currently in the design concept stage of development by Roscosmos. The preliminary design process began in October 2020, with operational flights planned for 2028. The Amur is intended to replace the existing Soyuz-2, at a much lower per launch cost.
Borisov said that “We are hoping to finalize the development of the Amur-SPG by 2030. The Amur-SPG launch site is under construction at the Vostochny Cosmodrome.” The Cosmodrome will provide a guided launch of the rocket’s first stage and its multiple use for satellite launches. The first stage is designed to be reused up to 50 times.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has developed the Falcon reusable first stage rocket, one of which has been used on 25 launches.
Borisov said that Roscosmos needed platforms to test technologies for re-entering and restarting the engine during flight, as well as using liquefied natural gas as fuel. “Production will begin this year, and tests will help us make progress in the development project.”
On October 2, 2024, Ravil Akhmetov, First Deputy General Director, General Designer at Russia’s Progress Rocket and Space Center, said work had started working on the Amur-SPG methane-fuel rocket. He also said they were preparing for first stage landing trials.
Roscosmos has previously said it has signed a government contract for the technical design of the Amur-SPG reusable rocket and will explore the rocket’s possible use for manned missions and well as serving as a basis for ultra-heavy-lift launch vehicles.
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